Another day, another bit of drama between Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield and FOX Sports 1 host Colin Cowherd. This time, Cowherd decided to compare Mayfield’s NFL potential to two different quarterbacks.
Earlier this week, Mayfield pledged that he “probably won’t ever change” who he is and how he plays. Naturally, Cowherd could not help but take exception to that.
On Wednesday’s edition of The Herd, Cowherd felt like pointing out that “change” is a key part of becoming great in the NFL. At one point, he compared and contrasted Tom Brady and Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre as part of his argument.
Cowherd explained that while Brady’s ability to change over time has enabled him to win multiple titles and play into his mid-40s, Favre’s stubborn personality and play style led to a slightly shorter career.
“Tom Brady defines change, that’s why he’s the GOAT. That’s why Tom Brady aged better than Brett Favre. Brett was more rigid and stubborn… What do you want to be?”
“Tom Brady defines change, that’s why he’s the GOAT. That’s why Tom Brady aged better than Brett Favre. Brett was more rigid and stubborn… What do you want to be, @bakermayfield?”@ColinCowherd responds to Baker Mayfield’s claim he “won’t ever change” the way he is pic.twitter.com/Usz1HHRGBQ
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) August 14, 2019
Aside from blowing what Mayfield said way out of proportion, there’s one big flaw in Cowherd’s argument: Just about any quarterback would kill for a chance to have a career like Brett Favre.
Favre may not have won much after his Super Bowl title for the Packers in 1996, but he still had a Hall of Fame career. Even in his late-30s and early-40s, Favre’s teams were almost always in playoff contention. He had NFC Championship Game appearances at age 38 and 40.
Not everybody can be Tom Brady, even if they replicate everything he does. But if your floor is Brett Favre, there’s few if any young quarterbacks who wouldn’t be satisfied with that.